ROLES+AS+LIBRARIAN?

=According to ALA's //Information Power// (1998) the four roles of librarian:=

** TEACHER - ** As a teacher, I empower students with the skills to seek information independently. I will teach them to conduct research and think critically and ethically about it.
====** INSTRUCTIONAL PARTNER - ** I will plan collaboratively with teachers and educators to plan and implement meaningful learning activities and experiences. I will participate in curriculum planning to insure that all literacy skills (information, media, technological, digital, visual) are being met.====

====** INFORMATION SPECIALIST - ** I will provide expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of information resources in all formats. It is my responsibility to provide equitable access to information - According to ALAs Library Bill of Rights.====

====** PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR - ** After collaboratively planning with the members of the learning community, a policy for the school library program is set to guide and direct all activities related to it. The plan is in place to make sure that the libraries goals and objectives are aligned with the school's as well as state and national standards. The plan is used for continuous improvement of the library program. As program administrator, I supervise support staff, balance the budget, create an inviting environment, and arrange for flexible scheduling.====

[] For details about ROLES.

According to the AASL's L4L (2010), he new added job descriptions are:


=** LEADER - **= = = = ADVOCATE OF PROGRAM - Promote the school library program with ALAs Toolkit for Library Media Programs! =

= LEADERSHIP ROLE by Latisha K Shelton =

1) A warm and caring individual who promotes the love of reading. 2) Promotes learning through materials and technology for youth. 3) Inspires excellence. 4) Provides the best learning tools. 5) Joins teachers in the creation of exciting experiences. 6) Guides individual students as they venture into the world of information and technology.
 * Vansickle’s __six__ enduring elements of a library media program, and MY __reaction__ to them: **

My reaction to the elements is to see if I can apply it to my life to make sure that I have what it takes to be a library media specialist. I know that the library media specialist needs to take a leadership role in connecting partnerships within the school community. It takes an outgoing person with a caring personality who wants to help others. I want to be a learning facilitator and empower my students to search for answers to problems or questions on their own. I want to give them the tools to be problem solvers so they can achieve excellence. I know that I like to keep up with the latest technology and enjoy showing others what I learn. I agree with Vansickle’s six enduring elements of a library media program and that over time and changes, these elements should remain the same.

The leadership role is considered critical to the success of library media specialists and the programs they administer. The library media specialist must have the skills and strategies to provide leadership in collaboration and instructional consultation activities. Valli (1992) identified imitation, isolation, transfer, and technique as four problem areas facing pre-service educators.
 * What is a continuing challenge that every library media specialist faces? **

An effective leader is someone who can sell themselves, promote new resources, and also get others to follow them. A leader establishes a vision and then puts the steps in place to make that vision become a reality. An effective leader is someone who takes initiative and is not afraid to take risks. An effective leader is also to makes personnel decisions and develops their own sense of power.
 * What are the distinguishing characteristics of an effective leader? **

Haycock (1999) says that the characteristics needed by teacher-librarians engaged in collaborative practices are initiative, vision, leadership and interpersonal skills, the willingness to take risks, and energy and enthusiasm. Crowley (1995) says library media specialists as leaders will be defined by the relationships that they develop with the total learning community. The media specialist who thinks and acts like a leader maintains a high profile and works as a catalyst for change in the school setting. One who understands the information needs of all the clients in the learning community and establishes a vision to meet those needs. A library media specialist also needs to be able to control a budget and understand the costs of changing technology.
 * What leadership characteristics are important for a library media specialist to have? **

My strongest point is my willingness to help others and interpersonal skills. I see the need to promote confidence within my learning community to express themselves intelligently and responsibly. I have a vision of how all the integral parts of the educational community can work together. When I first get an assignment, I can get started on it immediately. I could plan my time better and delegate jobs when possible. I can have a network of other library media specialists and consult them when needed.
 * What are my own personal characteristics that equip me to be a leader? **
 * On the reverse, what personal characteristics could prevent you from being a good leader if you did not improve or accommodate them? ** Time management is an issue I could improve with. I could also improve my public speaking skills. I can set long term and short term goals and create agendas when speaking and planning and stick to agenda.
 * Describe a possible plan for improvement. **

I will set short term and long terms goals and continue to assess and reevaluate the progress that is being made toward those goals. I will reorganize my goals or steps to accomplish my goals to see if they are effective. If not, then I will have to change my approaches. I can recognize the need for change and plan for that change.
 * Explain how you feel about assuming a leadership role, and suggest how your strengths and weaknesses would affect your filling this role. **

I can present ideas and regularly express needs for program changes. I should hold budget conversations with my principal. I can keep the principal informed of trends in education and technology, issues, opportunities, risks, and demands. I should regularly hold meetings with all of the stakeholders in the learning community and express the full range of resources that the library media center offers and encourage its use. I can encourage the principal and administration, classroom teachers, parents, and community members to build the vision of success for our students and ourselves together. The involved library media specialist designs and conducts staff development with teachers to design and implement instructional units. I also help teachers plan for allowing students to use a variety of technologies to demonstrate knowledge gained. I will learn teacher planning styles so that I can build partnerships with them.
 * In what ways can a library media specialist demonstrate leadership to a school principal? To classroom teachers? To parents? **

My vision of a school library media program is one based on collaboration with all members of the learning community, leadership, and technology. The effectiveness of the program will be based on the effectiveness I have in building the relationships within the total learning community. The library media program will be in the center of the curriculum and meet the needs of everyone in the learning community. I want to teach teachers to access and use the same electronic resources that I am using and the students are using. The school library media program is the chief motivator in moving students in the 21st century and empowers them with the tools to gain information from a variety of resources and continue to be lifelong learners.
 * My vision of a school library media program. **